A chop saw is the usual choice among saws for cutting steel pipe, and it is the tool to reach for when you need a quick crosscut. Chop saws, also called cut-off saws, are used for crosscuts on metal [1]. They use abrasive or carbide blades to cut through steel or iron pipe [1]. Related reading: Saw for Cutting Metal Sheets: Choose the Right Tool.
Metal framing is a different job. Metal framing is often cut with portable band saws, chop saws or jigsaws, depending on the job [2]. A small framing cut may suit a jigsaw, while longer pipe runs need the steadier crosscut of a chop saw, so let the material and the length of the cut guide your choice.
This article compares the common metal-cutting saws, explains when a chop saw is the right pick for pipe, and covers blades for framing projects. Read on if you want to match the saw to your next cut.
How do the common metal-cutting saws compare?
For cutting steel pipe, a chop saw is the most direct fit. It makes crosscuts on steel or iron pipe, and its abrasive or carbide blades cut through the metal [1]. For a closer look, read What Steel Are Circular Saw Blades Made From?
Saw type | What it is listed for |
|---|---|
Chop saw | Crosscuts on steel or iron pipe with abrasive or carbide blades [1] |
Cold cut saw | A metal-cutting option, listed among saws for cutting metal [3] |
Portable band saw | Heavy-duty metal cutting, listed with chop and scroll saws [2] |
Circular saw fitted for metal | Another metal-cutting type, listed alongside band saws [3] |
The main difference is the job each saw is aimed at. A chop saw suits straight cuts across pipe. A portable band saw is the heavy-duty option for metal in general, and it is grouped with the professional-grade saws [2].
Cold cut saws and metal-fitted circular saws appear in the same lineup of metal-cutting types, alongside band saws [3]. If you are weighing those two, compare them by the metal and cut length you actually work with.
When is a chop saw the right choice for steel pipe?
A chop saw is the right choice when you need straight, repeated crosscuts on steel pipe. Chop saws, also called cut-off saws, are used for crosscuts on metal [1]. They use abrasive or carbide blades to cut through steel or iron pipe [1].
This fits jobs like cutting a stack of identical lengths for a shelf frame or a railing. You set the pipe against the fence, lower the blade and make the same cut each time, which keeps every piece the same length. Related reading: Diamond Blade Options for Concrete Cutting at Home.
Chop saws are heavy-duty, professional-grade saws designed to handle metal cutting [2]. That makes them larger and heavier than a hand tool, so they work best on a bench or stand in a garage or shop where the saw stays put. For more detail, see Best Blade for Non Ferrous Metals Without Burrs.
Safety before you cut
Put on eye and hearing protection before you turn the saw on. Clamp the pipe firmly in the vise so it cannot shift or spin when the blade meets the metal. Keep your hands well away from the blade path, and let the blade stop completely before you lift it or move the pipe.
What about metal framing and blade choice?
Framing saws fitted with a steel blade are a common choice for light metal framing work [4]. In practice, that means cutting a few studs or a short run of track for a basement or garage wall, not a full day of production cutting.
Match the blade to the metal
Metal-cutting blades differ in how long they last, so match the blade to the metal you are cutting [4]. A welding-forum user reported that a framing saw with a Diablo steel blade was good, but that Tenryu metal-cutting blades lasted longer than a steel blade he had used before [4]. That is one person’s experience, so treat it as a lead to test, not a guarantee.
Jigsaws and heavier jobs
A jigsaw with a metal blade suits small framing cuts, such as trimming one piece of light channel. For heavier or repeated cuts, you need a dedicated metal saw. Chop saws, scroll saws and portable band saws are heavy-duty, professional-grade saws designed to handle metal cutting [2].
If you cut metal framing every week, the time saved by a dedicated saw and a blade made for the metal usually matters more than the purchase price of a framing saw.
Which saw should you buy first?
For steel pipe, buy a chop saw with an abrasive or carbide blade. Chop saws use these blades to cut through steel or iron pipe [1].
For metal framing, a portable band saw covers most jobs. These saws are designed to handle metal cutting [2]. A framing saw with a steel blade is also a good option for lighter metal framing work [4].
Choose by material and how often you cut. If you cut pipe every week, a chop saw earns its place; for occasional framing, a metal-fitted framing saw may be enough. Whatever you pick, buy a blade made for that metal, because a blade made for one metal can perform poorly on another.